Charles Barkley explains why he thinks Michael Jordan is still the NBA GOAT while saying LeBron is not even above Kobe Bryant.
LeBron James has built an impressive case to be considered the greatest basketball player of all time. However, not everyone agrees with this assessment, including Charles Barkley.
During an appearance on the They Call It Late Night show, Barkley emphasized his belief that Michael Jordan is the best player he’s ever seen, adding that Kobe Bryant also ranks higher than James in his eyes.
“I think it’s lazy to compare LeBron and Michael because they’re both extraordinary players, but I’ve never seen anyone better than Michael Jordan,” Barkley said.
“I don’t even put LeBron above Kobe. The difference is LeBron is a nice guy. Nobody ever said that about Michael or Kobe. Those guys had a killer mentality. They were out there to destroy their opponents and let them know about it the entire time. That’s what separates them.”
Others agree with Charles Barkley’s point of view
Barkley isn’t alone in this view. Others have brought up similar points when discussing LeBron’s place in the all-time rankings.
Former Miami Heat teammate Mario Chalmers noted that players weren’t afraid of LeBron the way they were of Jordan. Chalmers claimed that while some opponents might have been hesitant facing LeBron, there was never the same sense of fear as when Jordan stepped on the court.
Shaquille O’Neal echoed this sentiment, stating that while LeBron commanded respect, he didn’t strike fear into opponents. According to O’Neal, that edge of intimidation was a hallmark of players like Jordan and Kobe, but it’s not part of LeBron’s legacy.
LeBron has captured four championships, four Finals MVPs, and four regular-season MVPs. He’s also won a scoring title, an assists title, and is the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. On top of that, he’s made 20 All-Star teams, 20 All-NBA teams, and six All-Defensive teams during his career.
While Jordan’s accomplishments might be more iconic, LeBron’s career resume arguably surpasses Kobe Bryant’s in terms of accolades and statistical dominance.
